Topic Review
Zuotin-Related Factor 1
Recently, Zuotin-related factor 1 (ZRF1), an epigenetic regulator, was found to be involved in transcriptional regulation. In animals and humans, ZRF1 specifically binds to monoubiquitinated histone H2A through a ubiquitin-binding domain and derepresses Polycomb target genes at the beginning of cellular differentiation. In addition, ZRF1 can work as a tumor suppressor. According to bioinformatics analysis, ZRF1 homologs are widely found in plants.
  • 575
  • 18 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Zona Pellucida
All mammalian oocytes and eggs are surrounded by a relatively thick extracellular matrix (ECM), the zona pellucida (ZP), that plays vital roles during oogenesis, fertilization, and preimplantation development. Unlike ECM surrounding somatic cells, the ZP is composed of only a few glycosylated proteins, ZP1–4, that are unique to oocytes and eggs. ZP1–4 have a large region of polypeptide, the ZP domain (ZPD), consisting of two subdomains, ZP-N and ZP-C, separated by a short linker region, that plays an essential role in polymerization of nascent ZP proteins into crosslinked fibrils. Both subdomains adopt immunoglobulin (Ig)-like folds for their 3-dimensional structure. Mouse and human ZP genes are encoded by single-copy genes located on different chromosomes and are highly expressed in the ovary by growing oocytes during late stages of oogenesis. Genes encoding ZP proteins are conserved among mammals, and their expression is regulated by cis-acting sequences located close to the transcription start-site and by the same/similar trans-acting factors. Nascent ZP proteins are synthesized, packaged into vesicles, secreted into the extracellular space, and assembled into long, crosslinked fibrils that have a structural repeat, a ZP2-ZP3 dimer, and constitute the ZP matrix. Fibrils are oriented differently with respect to the oolemma in the inner and outer layers of the ZP. Sequence elements in the ZPD and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of ZP1–4 regulate secretion and assembly of nascent ZP proteins. The presence of both ZP2 and ZP3 is required to assemble ZP fibrils and ZP1 and ZP4 are used to crosslink the fibrils. Inactivation of mouse ZP genes by gene targeting has a detrimental effect on ZP formation around growing oocytes and female fertility. Gene sequence variations in human ZP genes due to point, missense, or frameshift mutations also have a detrimental effect on ZP formation and female fertility. The latter mutations provide additional support for the role of ZPD subdomains and other regions of ZP polypeptide in polymerization of human ZP proteins into fibrils and matrix. 
  • 519
  • 10 Sep 2021
Topic Review
ZNF341 Gene
Zinc finger protein 341
  • 387
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ZMYM2 Gene
Zinc finger MYM-type containing 2
  • 581
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ZMPSTE24 Gene
Zinc metallopeptidase STE24: the ZMPSTE24 gene provides instructions for making a protein that acts as a protease.
  • 362
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ZIC2 Gene
Zic family member 2
  • 336
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ZFYVE26 Gene
Zinc finger FYVE-type containing 26: the ZFYVE26 gene provides instructions for making a protein called spastizin.
  • 315
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ZFP57 Gene
ZFP57 zinc finger protein
  • 431
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Zellweger Spectrum Disorder
Zellweger spectrum disorder is a group of conditions that have overlapping signs and symptoms and affect many parts of the body.
  • 377
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ZEB2 Gene
Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2
  • 320
  • 24 Dec 2020
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